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June 23, 1931. D. H. ANNIN v DIFFERENTIAL REGULATOR FOR VALVES FiledJuly 7 1950 Patented June 23, 1931 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFER.

DOUGLAS H. ANNIN, OF GLENDALE, CALIFORNIA, ASSIGNOR TO NEILAN,SCHUMACHER 8a COMPANY, F LGS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA DIFFERENTIAL REGULATORFOR VALVES Application filed July 7,

This invention relates to means for regulating a valve in a fluidpassage in accordance with prearranged pressure conditions in the systemor apparatus in which the valve is employed, the valve being controlledby a diaphragm which is itself controlled by fluid pressure on itsopposite sides. The fluid acting with variable pressures on one side ofthe diaphragm may be supplied from different sources, depending upon thespecific purpose for which the valve is employed, while the fluid actingupon the opposite side of the diaphragm, at a constant but preselectedpressure, is forced into a chamber which is, in part, closed by thediaphragm. The diaphragm is thus flexed in accordance with thedifferences in pressures upon its opposite sides, and the extent of itsflexure a-tjany moment determines the position of the valve. Theinvention may be employed for various purposes, such as for regulatingthe flow of fuel to the furnace of a boiler in accordance with theboiler pressure, for reducinga high pressure of a fluid to a lowerpressure or for maintaining aconstant pressure of a fluid. Theaccompanying drawings show the invention employed for these purposesasexamples of its possible uses.

When the fluid employed to; give constant pressure on one side of thediaphragm is a gas, such as air, its pressure will vary with' changes inits temperature. For this reason, means are employed for maintaining thetemperature of this gas constant, and this means comprises a part of myinvention.

While I .have complied with the requirements as to making a definite andspecific disclosure of my invention, I realize that it may be embodiedin structures differing in,

detail from any herein disclosed, and I wish it to be understood thattheclaims hereof are not intended to be limited to such details anyfarther than thespecific terms make necessary.

In the drawings, which illustrate what is my present preferred forms ofthe invention,

Fig. 1 is a central sectional View through the regulator as employed formaintaining a substantially constant pressure in asteam boiler ig. 2shows a port n a? the structure illus} 1930. Serial no. 465,961.

trated in Fig. 1 with the pipe connections so modified as to cause theregulator to maintain a substantially constant difference in pressure onthe opposite sides of a valve, and

F 1g. 3 also shows a portion of the structure a of Fig. 1 with the pipeconnections so arranged as to maintain a substantially. constantpressure at the inlet side of the valve, the valve in this case beinginverted from the position shown in Fig. 1.

v In the drawings, 5 represents the inlet and 6 the outlet pipes. for afluid,'said pipes being suitably connected through a valve casing 7within whichis a balanced valve 8. In F ig. 1 this valve isheld to itsseat 9 by a spring 10. Since the specific structure of the valve andcasing is no part of-my invention, except in combination, more detaileddescription thereof is deemed unnecessary.

Mounted upon the valve casing is a member 11 through which extends aplunger 12, the latter passing through suitable packing glands 13 and13a, as shown. The lower end of the plunger rests upon a member 14 whichforms the upper end of the stem of the valve 8. .Attached to the upperend of the plunger is a head 15 which bears'against a diaphragm 16, thediaphragm being normally arched upwardly. The head covers a substantialpart of the lower side of the diaphragm and is shapedto fit the'concavedside of the latter. The upper end of the member 11 is flanged at 17 andis dished toform a chamber 18 below the diaphragm. The flange isprovided with a passage 19 therethrough, for a purpose hereinafter setforth; and, if preferred, itmayhave a similar passage 20 in itsdiametrically opposite side. 7

The diaphragm is held at its marginal edges between the flange 17 and asimilar flange 21 ona casing 22. This casing is open at its lower end,except as it is closed by the diaphragm. Just above the diaphragm thecasing is of a size corresponding to that of the chamber 18.; but it isthen drawn in rather abruptly and is extended upwardly. preferably inthe form of a cylinder, the upper end i being closed-except for athreadedopening within which i a pressure gage-23 is secured.

int rior of the casing a h m er 24 within which a fluid may becompressed, as by means of a pump 25. While any suitable fluid may beused, it is more convenient and therefore more desirable to employ air,and I shall hereafter refer to the pump 25 as an air pump. The pump isattached to a member 26 which has a ball valve 27 therein, the valvebeing normally held against its seat by a spring 28 to close a passagethrough thememher. The member 26 has threaded engage-- ment with a boss29 on the casing 22, said boss having a bore therein which communicateswith the passage in the member 26 and, through a port 30, with thechamber 24:. The

said port is adapted to be closed by a needle valve 31. hen this valveis opened and the pump is operated, air is forced into the chamber 24toany desired pressure, which is registered on the gage'23, after whichthe needle valve is closed.

lVith the parts thus described assembled as in Fig. 1, the device isadapted to control the passage of fuel, such as gas, from the inlet pipe5 to the outlet pipe 6 which leads to the burner for heating a boiler,neithervthe burner nor the boiler being shown. The

' chamber '18 below the diaphragm is connected, through-a pipe 32, withthe steam space of the boiler so that the lower side of the diaphragm issubjected to the boiler pressure. For purpose of illustration, it willbe assumed that said pressure is one hundred pounds and that it is to bemaintained at that point. Air is now pumped into the chamber 2% until apressure is reached which, acting on the upper surface of the diaphragm,is just sufficient to unseat the valve 8. Owing to the fact that thespring acts to close the valve, the pressure in. the chamber 24 must besuch as to overcome both the boiler pressure acting on the under side ofthediaphragm and the force of the spring. .The reading of the gage 23will,*however, approximate 100. If, now, the boiler pressure falls, theair pressure in the chamber 24 depresses the diaphragm, thereby openingthe valve 8 more widely and furnishing'more fuel to the burner.

phragm returns toward its position of Fig. 1

to reduce or cut off the fuel.

While the temperature of the air within the chainb-er'24 remainsconstant, the regulator as described is adequate to'inaintain the boilerpressure substantially constant.

But, owing to changes in the weather andin When the boiler, pressureagain reaches one hundred pounds, the'diacasing 34: which is mounted onthe casing 22. This valve casing is connected, through a pipe 35 eitherwith the boiler or, more conveniently, with the pipe 32 which leads tothe boiler. Within the valve casing is a needle valve 36 which issuitably packed and is adapted'to open or close the steam passagethrough the casing. The other end of the coil 33 is led outside thecasing 22'so that the steam may escape.

The valve 36 is controlled by a thermostat which is soassociated withthe casing 22 as to be effected by the temperature of the air therein.Any suitable type of thermostatniay be employed, that shown comprisingatube 37 which is threaded through the casing '22 and is projected intothe chamber being closed at its inner end. Outside the casinglthe tubeopens into a bellows-like member 38, to the outer wall of which theneedle valve'36 issecured. The space within the tube 37 and the member38 is closed and contains a quantity of liquid, the latter being soselected as to volatilize at substantially the temperature at which theair in the chamber 24 is to be maintained. If, then, this temperaturefalls, the volatilized or partially volatilized liquid condenses, thebellows at 38 collapses and the valve 36 is drawn back-to open thepassage to the steam from the pipe 35. This permitssteam to pass throughthe coil 33 until the temperature of the air is restoredand the liquidin the ther mostatis again volatilized in amount sufficient to close thevalve 36;

While it is, convenient, and is therefore preferred, to heat the'coil 33by-steani, as described, it is obvious that hot air or other gases oreven hot water, oil or other liquid can be employed for that purpose ifdesired.- 2' The arrangement shown in Fig. 2 is employed when it isdesired to maintain a constant pressure on the outlet side of the valve,or for reducing a high pressure on the inlet side to a low {pressure onthe outlet side. Only somuch of {the structure is shown in Fig. 2 v

as is required'to'show the departure made from the arrangement shown inFig. 1. Instead of leading the pipe 32 to the boiler or to a connectionwith the boiler, it is led directly to the outlet pipe 6. V WViththisarrangement, the space .18 below the diaphragm is filled with the frompipe 6 andat the pressure-in said pipe. If, for, example, the pressurein the inlet pipe 5 islOO pounds and p it is desired to reduce it to 15pounds in the outlet pipe 6, the air in the chamber. 24- is pumpedupto'a pressure of fifteen pounds, or slightly above that amount toovercome the spiringlO. If thereafter the pressure in the pipe 6. rises,the diaphragm is raised and the valve 8 is closed until the pressureagain fallsto normal. The fluid passing through the valve maybeeithergas or liquid. 'If

' 5.- The space 18 belowthediaphragm is connected, through a pipe 32a,with the inlet pipe. 'In this case the valve 8a is reversed or.inverted. and the spring 10a acts to open it. Assuming thatthepressurein pipe 5 is toiibehmaintained at one hundred pounds,

theia ir in the chamber 24 is pumped up to or slightly above one hundredpounds. If,

then; the pressure in the pipe 5 should rise, the 'valvewould opentopermit enough of the-fluid to escape to reduce the pressure to normal.As in the other structures described, the coil 33 may be heated bysteam, if readily available, or by such other hot gases or liquids ashave been referred to. 1

,ln'case the flange 17 of the member 11 is provided with the twopassages, 19 and 20, as shown in Fig. 1, the pipe 32 may be connectedwith either passage, the other being closed, as by a plug 20a. In theform shown in Fig. 3, the pipe 32a is connected with the passage 20 andthe plug would then be used to close the passage 19. Instead of usingthe passage 20, however, the member 11 may be turned to bring thepassage 19 into position over the pipe 5. It is therefore unnecessary tohave the two passages, but I prefer to provide themfor purpose ofconvenience in adapting the assembly of Fig. 1 to the use of theassembly of Fig. 3. c

Having thus described my invention, I.

claim 1. Means for maintaining a constant pressure 1n a fluid,comprising a valve for controlling thepressure of said fluid, a chamber,

a diaphragm extending across the chamber, means for causlng the fluidthe pressure of WlllCll IS tO be mamtamed to act on one side of saiddiaphragm within the chamber, an

air pump connected with the chamber on the opposite side of saiddiaphragm for creating an air pressure in that part of the chambersubstantially equal to that which is to be maintained in the firstmentioned fluid,

whereby the diaphragm is flexed by the differential pressures of thefluid and the, air, connections between said diaphragm and the valve forpositioning the latter in accordance with the position of the diaphragmand means under control of the air in said chamber for maintaining asubstantially constant temperature of the air in said chamber.

2. Means for maintaining a constant steam pressure in a boiler,comprising a valve for side ofthe diaphragm which is equal to thepressure within the boiler,'an air pump, con} nections between said pumpand that part of the chamber which is on the oppositeside ofthediaphragm'from the first mentioned part,

whereby air pressure may be created on the diaphragm tooppos'e'theboflerpressure, said air pressure to be maintained at the desired boilerpressure,connections between the dia phragm and the valve for causingthe latter tomove in accordance with the movements ofthe diaphragm duetothe-difierential' presy sures-of the steam and air, and means undercontrol of the air in said chamber for'main taining a substantiallyconstant temperature of the air inisaid chamber; v

- 3! Means for maintaining a constantpressure in a fluid, comprising-avalve for controlling the pressure of said fluid, a chamber, adiaphragmextending across the chamber and dividing it into twoparts,means-for causing the fluid-the pressure of which'is to be maintained toact on one side of saidd-iw phragm within the chamber, :an-airpumpconnected with the chamber on theopposite sideof said diaphragm forcreatingan air pressurein that part'ofthe chamberwhich is substantiallyequal to that which isto be maintained in the first mentioned fluid,whereby the diaphragm is flezied'by the differentialzpressu-res of thefluid and; the airy connections between said idiaphragmand thevalvefor-positioning the la'tter in. accordance .with the position I of thediaphragm-,xa

thermostat extending into; that part .of the chamberwhich contains theair, and means: under. control of said thermostat forzmamsubstantlallycon;

taining the said air at astant-ztemperature.

v 4. Means for maintaining a constant pres;

sure. in a fluid, comprisinga valve. forcon trolling the pressure ofsaid fluid, a cham-' her, a diaphragm extending across the chamber'anddividing it into'two parts, means for causing the fluid the-pressure ofwhich'is to be maintained to act onone' side ofsaid'dia-T phragm withinthe chamber, an air pump connected with the chamber on the oppositeside-ofsaid diaphargm-forcreating an air pressure in that part of thechamber which is substantially equaltothat which is to be; maintained inthe first mentioned fluid,

whereby the diaphragmis flexed by thedif ferential pressuresofzithezfluid andtheair, connections' between said diaphragm and thevalve: for? positioning the latter: in accord' anc'ewith the positionaofthe diaphragm,-. a thermostat extending into that. part of thechamber-which contains the air, a 'coilfor heated fluid withinsaid partof the chamber,"

and a valve under. control of said thermostat theipurpose specifiedQ afor admitting 'heatedifluid'to said :coil, for

. for controlling the pressure of said steam, a

7 air pressure to be maintained at substantially the vdesired boilerpressure, connections between the diaphragm and the valve for causingthe latter to move in accordance with the movements of the diaphragm dueto the differential pressures of the steam and air, a thermostatextending into that part of the chamber which contains the air, andmeans under control of said thermostat for maintaining the said air at asubstantiallyconstant temperature.

6; Means for maintaining a constant steam pressure in a boiler,comprising a valve for controlling the pressure of said steam, a chamhera dia hra m extendin across said chamher and dividing it into two parts,connections from the boiler to one part ofthe chamber for'maintaining apressure on that side of the diaphragm which is equal to the pressurewithin the boiler, an air pump, connections between said pumpand thatpart of the chamber which is on the opposite side of the diaphragm fromthe first mentioned part, whereby air pressure may be created on thediaphragm to oppose the boiler pressure, said air pressure to bemaintained at the desired boiler pressure, connections between thediaphragm and the valve for causing the latter to move in accordancewith the movements of the diaphragm due to the diflerential pressures ofthe steam andair, a coil for heated fluid within that part of thechamber containing the air, and a thermostat in the said part of thechamber for controlling the flow of heated fluid through the coil.

7. Means for maintaining a constant pressure in a fluid, comprising avalve for controlling the pressure of saidfluid, apressure responsivemember, means for causing the-fluid thepressure of which is to bemaintained to act 'on one side'of said member, means for causing anopposing fluid to act on theopposite side of said member. at pressuresubstantially equal to that which is to be'maintained in the firstmentioned fluid,whereby I the said memberis moved diflerentially by thesaid fluids, connections betweensaid mem ber and the valve forpositioning the latter in I accordance with the'positionof saidmember',and means under control of the said opposing fluid formaintaining the temperature of said opposing fluid substantiallyconstant.

:8. lvleanssfor maintaining a constant pressure in a fluid, comprising avalve for controlling the pressure ofsaid fluid, a chamber, a.pressure-responsive member within said chamber anddividing it into twoparts, means for causing the fluidthe pressure of which is to bemaintained to act on one part of the said member to move it in onedirection, means for causing compressed airto act on said member inopposition to the said fluid, the pressure of theair being maintained atsubstantially the desired pressure of said fluid whereby the member ismoved within thechamber in accordance with the difierences of pressureof the fluid and the air, connections between said member-and the valvefor positioning the latter in accordance-with the position ofsaidmembena thermostat responsive to the temperature of the 'air in saidchamber, and means under control of said thermostat for maintaining saidair at a'substantially constanttemperature.v

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification.

DOUGLAS ANNIN.-

